Visit Preston catches up with Owain Wyn Evans at Radio 2 in the Park

Visit Preston caught up with one of the newest presenters at Radio 2 on Saturday, for a quick chat about Preston, music and his experience of being back in the North West.

Can you sum up your experience of Preston so far in just three words?

Oh, so far - friendly, sunny and green!

Is that a good three words to represent Preston, do you reckon?

It's a good job we're not asking you tomorrow!

Yes, I know it's not always sunny, as I did do the weather here! You'll need an umbrella for tomorrow darlings!

Have you heard of any Preston foods, and have you tried any yet?

Well, I haven't heard of any Preston foods, can you furnish me with some details?

You could have a butter pie!

Well, I love butter, and I love pie, that sounds lovely! We haven't got that in the catering, maybe I'll ask if they can get us some for tomorrow.

How different are you finding being a Radio 2 DJ to being a weather presenter on BBC North West Tonight, which is where many people from Preston know you from?

It's just a delight! 

Doing the radio is very different but the local element of what I've done has been really beneficial to me, because I've travelled around the country, and I've met so many great people and, again that connection with the weather, you know people want to talk to you about things.

So, I love the elements of things in previous jobs I've been able to take into this new one, and as a drummer, obviously I love music so having a radio show and doing this show is just fab as I get to play lovely songs and have a laugh. It's all about having fun.

And you seem to have gone full circle as now you're back in Cardiff

Now I'm back in Cardiff, yes!

The Radio 2 early breakfast show has moved out of London and when I was asked if I would do it, and whether or not I would do it from Cardiff, my answer was yes straight away, because I think it's great that Radio 2 and the BBC are moving things out. Helen Thomas who runs Radio 2 has done a great job of that, and that matters as somebody who obviously is from Wales and lived outside of London in the UK, it's great to see things being decentralised and more representative of the UK.

I think it's really important doing things across the UK so different parts of our audience can come and experience live music like this in a way that, not buying a ticket to go and see one artist - when you think of an event like this, this is amazing and what you get to experience at Radio 2 in the Park is to see so many amazing artists on a glitzy stage, you get to see Radio 2 DJs doing their sets as well; it's a magnificent event.

In terms of the weekend itself, how was your DJ experience?

The DJ set was great! Actually, when I was younger, I used to be a little bedroom DJ, so I had these turntables my parents bought me from Tandy in Llanelli. Instead of asking for a bike or a go-cart, I'd ask for turntables and a smoke machine. Bless them, a neighbour thought the shed was on fire one day when the smoke machine was going flat out!

Not a disco ball then?

Well, I've got a disco ball now that my husband bought me for my 40^th birthday, it's huge! And so, whenever I get the opportunity to DJ, which I do quite a bit more of now, I do DJ sets in different places and I love it. And doing it here at Radio 2 in the Park was fab, as I was opening the main stage today (Saturday) and people were there raring to go, excited and full of enthusiasm - what a joy.